VARIATIONS
Circuits are protected mostly by fuses and fusible links. Fuses are
either of the round glass tube or flat blade variety. The blade type appears on
later model cars.
Most importantly, fuses differ in amperage rating, which can be found printed or stamped on the fuse. The higher the amperage rating, the more current the fuse will allow to flow before it burns out. Fuses are typically rated at 5A, 10A, 15A, 20A, 25A or 30A (amperes). If the fuse has a SAE or SFE mark, it has been rated by the Society of Automotive Engineers or the Society of Fuse Engineers, respectively.
A fusible link is simply a short strip of small gauge wire that serves as a splice connection for two wires. The fusible link will melt and disconnect a circuit before it becomes damaged by a short circuit. Fusible links are used in circuits not protected by a fuse.
Blade type fuses are color coded for easy identification of amperage rating. The correct replacement fuse blade will be of the same color. Standard colors are as follows:
FUSE RATINGS AND THEIR COLORS
